Staying in custody awaiting your court session can be stressful. Anyone would want to be released from jail and focus on activities that would help dismiss their charges. That's why you should seek a reliable bail bonds company that will help you secure your release as fast as possible. At Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, we understand that an arrest and the possibility of spending time in police custody can be stressful. That's why we are committed to providing the fastest and easiest bail bond services to our clients in Downtown Los Angeles and its surroundings. Please schedule an appointment with us today and learn how we can help you.
An Overview of Bail Bonds in California
Once you're arrested, you have the option to seek a bail release. The purpose of setting up bail is to ensure that you appear in court for the court proceedings and trial after they've been released from jail. The amount of bail that the judge will decide on depends on factors like the severity of the crime.
Bail can be paid by the defendant or a designated third party known as a cosigner. The court will release the money to the defendant or the cosigner if the defendant has attended all court proceedings.
Factors that Influences the Amount of Bail in a Bail Hearing
When the judge is setting, reducing, or denying bail, they must consider several factors. Some of these factors include:
- Protection of the public
- The seriousness of the charges that you're facing
- The probability of attending the trial
- Prior criminal history
- The public safety
- The safety of the victim and the general public
- Whether the criminal charges involve the use of weapons, illegal weapon possession
- Whether the defendant is a threat to the public
Please note that the judge will set the highest or deny you bail if most of the abovementioned factors are true. However, the decision is entirely under the discretion of the judge.
Bail Schedules and How They Work
Bail schedules are incremental bail amounts that are set for different criminal charges. The schedule is a document that contains information about the criminal charges and the amount that a defendant should pay to be released.
You'll receive a higher bail if you are charged with a serious crime. You must know the exact figure you should pay via the bail schedule or ask assistance from our Downtown Los Angeles Bail Bonds agents.
You can post your bail using several ways. You can either post bail in cash, using a certified money order, or check. In some cases, the court might decide to take a personal check.
If you cannot afford to raise the hefty bail amount, you can seek a bond. Our Downtown Los Angeles Bail Bonds agent will post your bail in exchange for a premium. In California, the premium is set at 10%, meaning you cannot be charged more than 10% of the amount you should pay as bail.
However, some bail bonds agents offer a discount to certain people. For instance, you can enjoy a low bail premium if you:
- Have legal representation
- Are a government employee
- Are a union member
- Member of the United States military
- Have a family member who fits the above descriptions
The defendant and the bail bonds agent sign a contract to bind the defendant to the bail amount.
In most cases, a defendant has to post collateral that works as security to the amount that has been posted. Therefore, the loan is secured from the collateral if the defendant runs away when released from jail.
Reasons Why a Bail Bond is Better than other Forms of Bails
It's always advisable to secure a bail bond instead of cash. So, why is it so? Our experience in bail bond services has taught us that there are specific reasons why choosing a bail bond is better. Here are a few reasons why securing Downtown Los Angeles Bail bonds is the best decision.
There are High Chances that the Court Will Take Your Cash Bail
Once you give the court a cash bail, there are high chances that they will use the cash as court fines and cover their court fees. In some cases, the court fines and costs can be higher when a surety bond is used. There are also chances of interfering with the defendant's plan to make installments when paying for the court fines and costs.
Using Cash Can Jeopardize Your Chances to Access an Attorney
Cash bail can work at your disadvantage when accessing an attorney. The court usually appoints a public defender when a defendant demonstrates the inability to afford an attorney. Therefore, defendants who can post bail prove to the court that they can access a private lawyer.
On the other hand, using your savings to post bail might reduce the amount needed to afford a private lawyer. Therefore, you'll probably end up not affording an attorney once you spend most of your capital in posting cash bail.
Reduces the Chances of Cash Forfeiture
Another reason you should not expose your cash is the risk of complete cash forfeiture when you fail to appear in court, even if it's unintentional. Courts are known to change their department where cases are heard regularly. These departments are regularly reassigned even when a defendant has been instructed to appear in a specific department.
There are chances that your cash bail will be forfeited when you appear in the wrong department. The same goes for a defendant who's a few minutes late or isn't available when their name is called.
By posting bail, the only recourse would be hiring an attorney who'll keep in touch with the court schedules and will argue for a return of your cash if it's forfeited unfairly.
Furthermore, our Downtown Los Angeles Bail Bonds agent will keep you up-to-date with every change associated with your case to ensure that you don't miss anything.
Keeps Your Information Private
Posting cash bail by yourself or for another person keeps your financial information public. Investigation agencies tend to look into cosigners' and defendants' sources of income, especially when arrested and charged with high-profile crimes. However, by posting a bail bond, the bail bond agency will hold your information with strict confidence, guaranteeing no scrutiny from state agencies.
Different Forms of Collateral Used in Bail Bond Release
Our Downtown Los Angeles Bail Bonds agents accept several forms of collateral as security for your bail. Let's look at some of the common types of non-cash collaterals that you can use.
Real Estate
A real estate is a common form of collateral in paying bail bonds. However, you must file a deed of trust with the courthouse to state your authority over the authority. The bail bond agency will place a lien on the property until your case terminates. You must note that our agents will only accept your property as collateral if you are its primary owner. You should also note that a damaged property or is about to be demolished doesn't qualify as collateral.
Automobiles
Automobiles also serve as suitable collateral for your bail bond. Our agents will determine your automobile's value by evaluating its trade-in value. Our agents might also demand the automobile's title until you meet all your court's obligations.
Credit Card
If your credit card has enough capital to cover your bail, you can hold it in an escrow through the bail bond agency. A credit card is used for comparably small bail amounts since it's easier to pay for bail that isn't expensive.
Stocks and Bonds
To some extent, bail bonds agencies can accept stocks, bonds, or other additional investments as collateral. However, you must have legal ownership of the investments to use them as collateral. The bail bond agency will also hold the bonds and stocks in an escrow and release them once your case terminates.
Valuables
Your valuables can be anything ranging from collectibles and jewelry. You must provide a professional evaluation of the value you intend to use to prove that they are worth covering your bond cost.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bail Bonds Company
The possibility of releasing your loved one out of jail immediately depends on the bail bonds company that you pick. It's recommendable to have a few tricks up the sleeves to help you establish the best bail bond company. Doing so will help you decipher which bail bond companies are trustworthy and which you cannot depend on.
Here are a few aspects that you need to check when choosing your bail bond company. They will help you find a company that fits your needs.
Check Their Reviews
There are several ways you can look into the reputation of a bail bond company. One of the most common methods is looking at their online reviews and reading their testimonies. You can also ask a few people about the companies you have in mind and listen to their opinions about their services. This will help you build credibility with the specific company that you pick.
Some of the questions that you should answer while reviewing different bail companies include:
- Whether previous clients were satisfied with their experience with the bail bond company?
- Whether previous clients feel that the bail bond company fairly charged them?
- How quickly the previous clients or loved ones were released from jail?
- Whether the bail bond company was available when its previous clients called them?
Evaluate their Repayment Options
Start by confirming whether the company you're about to depend on is upfront in their charges. Otherwise, you'll end up setting your loved one or friend with a bail bonds agent only to find out that they are hiding key information about their percentages and how they accept repayments.
Remove any company from your list if it seems to be beating around the bush, and hide information. Remember, you or your loved one is in a dire situation, and taking a little bit longer to hire the right company means that you'll be spending more time in jail.
You should also keep in mind that the last thing you would want to cause is a financial setback to you or your loved one. Therefore, make sure that you choose a company with detailed repayment options before hiring an agent.
Consider their Hours of Operation
A variety of crimes would require bail to take place at night. For instance, crimes like grand theft auto, DUI, and assaults usually occur at night. That's why you should look for a company that works24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Downtown Los Angeles Bail Bonds agents offer their services anytime, week, or year and will answer your call anytime you call them.
Good Communication
Everyone is not an expert in the bail bond process. However, a reliable company should provide the information needed to get you or your loved one out of jail. A good agency should help you understand the entire bail bond process better and what you should expect throughout the process.
An Overview of Jail and Court Information in Los Angeles
It's crucial to learn about the jails and courts in Los Angeles. This will ease your efforts to determine where your loved one is held and will be arraigned after an arrest. Here are details of common jails in Los Angeles.
Men's Central Jail
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: + 1 213-473-6100
Twin Tower Correctional Facility
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: +1 213-473-6100
Metropolitan Detention Center
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: + 1 213-485-0439
LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: +1 213-356-3400
Century Region Detention Facility
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: + 1 213-473-6100
Common courts information in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Superior Court, Central Civil West Court
Los Angeles, CA 90005 United States
Phone: + 1 213-742-6648
Spring Street Court House – Los Angeles Superior Court
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: + 1 213-310-7000
Metropolitan Courthouse, The Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, CA 90007 United States
Phone: + 1 213 – 742 – 1884
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Los Angeles, CA 90012 United States
Phone: + 1 213 – 830-0803
Burbank Courthouse
Burbank, CA 91502 United States
Phone: + 1 818- 260-8498
Find a Bail Bonds Company Near Me
A bail bond company eases the burden of spending time in jail pending the outcome of your case. However, not all companies can meet your expectations. At Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, we provide the highest level of bail bonds services to our clients in Los Angeles, CA, and its surroundings. We are here to help you anytime. Contact us at 800-834-8522, and let's stand by you at this difficult time.
